Ulstein Bird Johnson News

The largest passenger catamaran to be completed by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders - at 144 ft. in length and with a 450-passenger capacity - was delivered to Catalina Cruises. The four-engine, 36 knot vessel is planned for service between Long Beach, Calif. and Catalina Island. Catalina Jet employs four Caterpillar 3512B, electronically controlled, 1,950-hp diesel engines to power MJP J550 DD waterjets supplied by Ulstein Bird Johnson. Power is transmitted through unique ZF gearboxes with diagonal offset, 1.42:1 ratio reduction gears. An active ride control system was supplied by Maritime Dynamics, to smooth out the passage on the Catalina Channel. The system includes trim tabs and "T-foils" beneath the twin hulls to counteract the pitch and roll motions induced by the sea surface.

Nichols Brothers, based in Whidbey Island, Wash., recently delivered a 144 ft., 450-capacity passenger catamaran for Catalina Cruises, dubbed Catalina Jet. The vessel, which is the largest passenger catamaran to be constructed by Nichols, will run between Long Beach and Catalina Island at a speed of 36 knots.Employing four Caterpillar electronically controlled 1,950-hp diesel engines, to power Ulstein Bird Johnson waterjets, Catalina Jet is constructed with an active ride control system for comfortable sailing along the Catalina Channel. The system, supplied by Maritime Dynamics is comprised of trim tabs and T-foils beneath the twin…

Klondike Express, a double-hulled passenger catamaran, was delivered to Brad and Helen Phillips by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders. The vessel has a full load speed of 36 knots and carries 400 passengers on Phillips Cruises & Tours' "26 Galcier" sightseeing trip on Prince William Sound, out of Whittier, Alaska. The vessel was designed by International Catamaran Designs, Pty., Ltd., Sydney, Austrailia. It measures 132.7 ft. in length and 34 ft. in beam, with a 5.5 ft. draft. It will carry 4,000 gal. of fuel oil and 400 gal. of fresh water. Pacific Detroit-Diesel-Allison of Seattle supplied the 16V-4000 marine engines rated at 3,110 hp @ 2,000 rpm. Engines drive MJP 650 waterjets from Ulstein-Bird-Johnson through ZF Marine BU755-1 non-reversing 1.821:1 reduction gears.

Measuring 175 ft. in length, dinner cruise vessel Starship was recently delivered to Starship Cruise Lines of Biloxi, Miss. Boasting a mega-yacht style, the vessel was designed by Naval Architects Dejong & Lebet of Jacksonville, Fla., and constructed by Freeport, Fla.-based Freeport Shipbuilding. Plachter-Vogel Design provided interior architecture. USCG-Certified under Subchapter K for 600 passengers, plus 30 crew, Starship carries a Stability Letter for Partially Protected waters. The vessel is designed to have a 5-5.6 ft. full load draft enabling it to access some of the Biloxi area's more shallow waterways. The hull features tunnels to allow large enough propellers while minimizing the draft.